Optimization of preparation process of Gui-Shao Cataplasm based on principal component analysis combined with uniform design / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To establish a comprehensive evaluation method based on principal component analysis (PCA) for the study of multiple indexes of Chinese medicine and to choose the best preparation technology of Gui-Shao Cataplasm with this method. Methods: The appearance description, initial bonding strength, endurance bonding strength, and peel strength were taken as indexes, the total factor scores were calculated using PCA and were employed to evaluate the quality of Gui-Shao Cataplasm, the uniform design test was used to optimize the amounts of sodium polyacrylate NP-700, aluminium glycinate, glycerin, etc. for Gui-Shao Cataplasm. Results: The optimal ratio of the prescription was as following sodium polyacrylate NP-700-PVP K-30-aluminium glycinate-EDTA-2Na-tartaric acid-glycerin-extract (8∶1∶0.25∶0.07∶0.15∶25∶20). The foremost factors were tartaric acid, PVP K-30, sodium polyacrylate NP-700, aluminium glycinate, glycerin, and EDTA-2Na. Conclusion: The optimal prescription has easy ductility, uniform paste, and moderate adhesion, and it could provide the foundation for the development of new prescription of Gui-Shao Cataplasm; The PCA could be a reference for the Chinese medicine research of multiple indexes.